BioI was born and raised in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. Heavily influenced and inspired by my Grandmother, I began my life as a seamstress at an early age. Doll clothes progressed to my own clothes which led to soft sculptures and a little business that I started in my twenties, True Blue Teddy Bears . My world was filled with critters of all types fashioned from recycled fabrics. I developed a fascination with doll making at this point but was frustrated with the limitations of cloth. In 1988, (my early 30's) I had the good fortune of meeting master carver, Duane Pasco. He was to become my teacher, mentor and friend. Through his guidance and my growing relationships with my many friends of the Port Gamble S'Klallam tribe of Little Boston, carving in the Northwest Coast Native style really took over my life. I became totally immersed in the art and the culture, all the while raising my kids and as I look back, myself. It was an amazing time. In 1995 I was invited to come to Alaska to demonstrate my ivory carving at Inside Passage Arts in Skagway where I had been selling my work for a couple of years. This trip would change my life forever. One month later I had packed up my two teenaged daughters, moved to Haines Alaska and started my new life. I have been here ever since and life has never been sweeter. As far as my art goes, I have been moving steadily more and more into my own personal style ever since I got here. I am forever grateful to all my teachers along this path, but where I go from here is anybody's guess. Site design by Bear Star Web Design, Haines Alaska |
Debi Knight Kennedy